Dire predictions for auto industry: 20,000 layoffs possible this year

Over 20,000 employees in the automotive industry as a whole may lose their jobs by the end of the year, according to daily Prawo i Gospodarka, as a result of a 33% decrease in first-quarter auto sales compared to the same period last year. Massive layoffs will affect producers of passenger cars, vans, trucks and buses, as well as car parts providers. Car dealers and auto inspectors will suffer similar reductions; analysts say that nearly 15,000 of these 70,000 service employees may lose their jobs. The domestic auto sector is one of most important, contributing 7.6% of GDP. (Prawo i Gospodarka, pp. 1,2) M.K.